Two Indians honoured with Magsaysay award

Two Indians, Neelima Mishra and Harish Hande, are among five individuals and an organisation cited for the Magsaysay Award. Mishra, 39, was recognised for “her purpose-driven zeal to work tirelessly with villagers in Maharashtra, organising them to successfully address both their aspirations and their adversities through collective action and heightened confidence in their potential to improve their own lives”.

Harish Hande, 44, was recognised for “his passionate efforts to put solar power technology in the hands of the poor, through a social enterprise that brings customised, affordable, and sustainable electricity to India’s rural populace”.

“I am really happy. I have been trying to alleviate poverty through various schemes in rural areas. We want to empower women by providing financial help. This award has motivated me,” Mishra told DNA.

Mishra has a Masters in clinical psychology from the University of Pune and is the founder of the Bhagini Nivedita Gramin Vigyan Niketan in Bahadarpur village. Hande has a PhD in energy engineering from the University of Massachusetts.

The other awardees are Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation, Inc from Philippines, Koul Panha from Cambodia and Hasanain Juaini and Tri Mumpuni from Indonesia.